Basics in Construction & Working in the Building Trades

Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Workforce Center of Excellence and HatchSpace are teaming up to offer a unique 7-week class this spring, Basics in Construction & Working in the Building Trades. Participants will learn about career opportunities, training, and funding opportunities while gaining hands-on carpentry skills in the HatchSpace workshops that strengthen their job readiness for careers in the trades.

Dates: March 3 – April 16, 2026, Tuesdays & Thursdays for 7 weeks

Class Schedule: 
Tuesdays from 9am – 12pm at HatchSpace for hands-on learning
Thursdays from 4 – 6pm at the BDCC Classroom

Locations:
HatchSpace, 22 High Street, 2nd Floor, Room 201
BDCC Classroom, Workforce Center of Excellence, 8 Flat Street

REGISTER at the BDCC website.

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HatchSpace Curriculum:
Participants will learn a number of core construction skills, including:

Fundamentals of Measuring
Students will become familiar with the tools used to perform fundamental measurements of different building materials, and practice arithmetic and geometry calculations used in carpentry for calculating metrics by lineal, area and volume.

Identification of Common Building Materials
Students will become familiar with common lumber based building materials used in carpentry and their applications. They will also learn how to identify various materials, their most common units of measure.

Introduction to Woodworking Tools
Students will be introduced to the common tools of carpentry, including hand tools and stationary power tools. Specifically, students will be trained in the safe and proper operation of battery powered drills, table saws, miter saws, planers and bandsaws. Students will discuss the differences of stationary workshop power tools and job-site power tools, and be introduced to the function of many common job-site tools such as circular saws, jigsaws and reciprocating saws (Sawzalls), routers, pneumatic tools (e.g. framing nailers and staple guns). Students will also gain exposure to the CNC machine and laser cutter through provided demonstrations.

Workplace Safety & Health Knowledge
Students will learn about the industry standard workplace safety training such as OSHA 10 and leave with an understanding of personal protective equipment and its importance.

BDCC Curriculum:
Students will learn about construction opportunities, build skills and prepare for next steps:

Construction & Building Trades in the Region
– Overview of construction sector opportunities, occupations, and employers
– Credentials & Certifications: what does it all mean?
– Unpacking job descriptions and employment environment

Getting Job Ready
– Start to define your goals for employment or entrepreneurship
– Build a resume tailored to your goals: soft vs hard skills; transferable skills
– Practice interview skills

Working for Yourself in the Building Trades
– Entrepreneurship / self-employment overview, resources and opportunities

Planning for Success
– Identify next steps towards the right job or training track and connect with training and education resources to keep you moving once this class is done
– Connect with professionals from the building trades

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REGISTER at the BDCC website.